The use of symbols in religion and beliefs

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Profile thorin belvrog
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Message 740626 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 21:10:05 UTC

(I'm not sure whether this belongs to this forum, but the mods will move it anyway if it doesn't...)

I'm normally used to see all kind of crosses in and on churches, and know that pentagrams are connected to Satanists (especially when "upside down"), and that hexagrams are connected to Jews - but then I saw this picture:

You can clearly see the cross, the pentagram, and the hexagram...

Can it be that symbols have been adapted by both Christianity and paganism from each other and got total opponent meanings, like the use of the "St. Peter's Cross" which is now mostly connected to Satanism despite being originally a totally Christian symbol, remembering how St. Peter died?
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Message 740641 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 21:49:27 UTC - in response to Message 740626.  

(I'm not sure whether this belongs to this forum, but the mods will move it anyway if it doesn't...)

I'm normally used to see all kind of crosses in and on churches, and know that pentagrams are connected to Satanists (especially when "upside down"), and that hexagrams are connected to Jews - but then I saw this picture:
..
You can clearly see the cross, the pentagram, and the hexagram...

Can it be that symbols have been adapted by both Christianity and paganism from each other and got total opponent meanings, like the use of the "St. Peter's Cross" which is now mostly connected to Satanism despite being originally a totally Christian symbol, remembering how St. Peter died?

The cross is a far older symbol than Christianity.
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Message 740648 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 22:09:03 UTC

And the swastika is far older than Nazi Germany, but that is what it is identified with.

It is interesting how symbols are associated with one view/party/religion, even though the origin of that symbol may be totally different than the accepted meaning now.
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Profile thorin belvrog
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Message 740653 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 22:16:22 UTC - in response to Message 740641.  
Last modified: 17 Apr 2008, 22:18:21 UTC

(I'm not sure whether this belongs to this forum, but the mods will move it anyway if it doesn't...)

I'm normally used to see all kind of crosses in and on churches, and know that pentagrams are connected to Satanists (especially when "upside down"), and that hexagrams are connected to Jews - but then I saw this picture:
..
You can clearly see the cross, the pentagram, and the hexagram...

Can it be that symbols have been adapted by both Christianity and paganism from each other and got total opponent meanings, like the use of the "St. Peter's Cross" which is now mostly connected to Satanism despite being originally a totally Christian symbol, remembering how St. Peter died?

The cross is a far older symbol than Christianity.

I know of the swastika (or sun wheel), of the Ankh, of crosses with equal sides (like the "+" symbol), and also of the "X" - all symbols older than Christianity - but I thought the "Christian Cross" (like depicted on this church - and most churches as well) is an originally Christian symbol...

BTW: I've seen many pictures with Christ hanging on a "T"-shaped cross instead of the usual crucifix-shaped one.
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Message 740654 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 22:19:42 UTC - in response to Message 740648.  

And the swastika is far older than Nazi Germany, but that is what it is identified with.

It is interesting how symbols are associated with one view/party/religion, even though the origin of that symbol may be totally different than the accepted meaning now.

I know, it's an ancient Indian symbol for the sun, the so-called sun-wheel.
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Message 740655 - Posted: 17 Apr 2008, 22:21:17 UTC - in response to Message 740648.  

And the swastika is far older than Nazi Germany, but that is what it is identified with.

It is interesting how symbols are associated with one view/party/religion, even though the origin of that symbol may be totally different than the accepted meaning now.


The swastika has been used all over the world as a religous symbol, originating in ancient India to Europe and the Americas.

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Message 741279 - Posted: 19 Apr 2008, 7:09:11 UTC - in response to Message 740653.  

but I thought the "Christian Cross" (like depicted on this church - and most churches as well) is an originally Christian symbol...

BTW: I've seen many pictures with Christ hanging on a "T"-shaped cross instead of the usual crucifix-shaped one.[/quote]



the original symbol for christian was fish, cross was used in greek before and propably everywhere before

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Message 741337 - Posted: 19 Apr 2008, 12:08:35 UTC - in response to Message 741279.  
Last modified: 19 Apr 2008, 12:30:38 UTC

but I thought the "Christian Cross" (like depicted on this church - and most churches as well) is an originally Christian symbol...

BTW: I've seen many pictures with Christ hanging on a "T"-shaped cross instead of the usual crucifix-shaped one.




the original symbol for christian was fish, cross was used in greek before and propably everywhere before

I know: the fish stood for "IXΘYΣ" - the Greek acronym for: "Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ": "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior"
But afaIk this symbol also is older than Christianity, the early Church only adapted it for themselves.

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Message 741586 - Posted: 19 Apr 2008, 21:41:08 UTC - in response to Message 741337.  

the fish [snip] this symbol also is older than Christianity, the early Church only adapted it for themselves.

Today, Darwin has adapted it... ;)
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Message boards : Politics : The use of symbols in religion and beliefs


 
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